Transparent structure with controllable lighting

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a transparent structure. The structure may include at least one light source, a transparent light-carrying guide layer optically coupled with the at least one light source. The structure may include refractive layers where a light absorbing feature is operably associated with the light-carrying guide layer to absorb any light not internally reflected in the light guide layer, at least adjacent the light source.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A configurable transparent structure comprising:
 a light source; 
 a transparent light-carrying layer optically coupled with the light source; and 
 a light extraction layer optically coupled with the transparent light-carrying layer, the light extraction layer being operable in a first state, in which light emitted by the light source passes through the light extraction layer without scattering such that the light extraction layer appears substantially transparent, and a second state, in which a portion of the light emitted by the light source is scattered upon passing through the light extraction layer, such that the light extraction layer appears at least partially translucent. 
 
     
     
       2. The configurable transparent structure of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control unit to control the light source, and to control the first state and the second state of the light extraction layer. 
 
     
     
       3. A configurable transparent structure comprising:
 a light source; 
 a transparent light-carrying layer optically coupled with the light source; and 
 
       a light extraction layer optically coupled with the transparent light-carrying layer, the light extraction layer being transparent in a first state and being at least partially translucent in a second state,
 wherein the light extraction layer is adjacent to the transparent light-carrying layer, the transparent light-carrying layer has a first refractive index, and the light extraction layer has a second refractive index substantially equal to the first refractive index. 
 
     
     
       4. The configurable transparent structure of  claim 1 , the transparent light-carrying layer comprising a light guide plate, and the light source comprising an LED optically coupled to an edge of the light guide plate. 
     
     
       5. The configurable transparent structure of  claim 1 , the light source being a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       6. A configurable transparent structure comprising:
 a light source; 
 a transparent light-carrying layer optically coupled with the light source; and 
 a light extraction layer optically coupled with the transparent light-carrying layer, the light extraction layer being transparent in a first state and being at least partially translucent in a second state, 
 wherein the light extraction layer is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer, and the first state and the second state of the light extraction layer are controlled by voltage across the light extraction layer. 
 
     
     
       7. A configurable transparent structure comprising:
 a light source; 
 a transparent light-carrying layer optically coupled with the light source; 
 a light extraction layer optically coupled with the transparent light-carrying layer, the light extraction layer being transparent in a first state and being at least partially translucent in a second state; and 
 a switchable mirror layer optically coupled to a first side of the transparent light-carrying layer, the light extraction layer being optically coupled to a second side of the transparent light-carrying layer opposite the first side of the transparent light-carrying layer, the switchable mirror layer being transparent in a first state and being reflective in a second state. 
 
     
     
       8. The configurable transparent structure of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a control unit to control the light source, to control the first state and the second state of the light extraction layer, and to control the first state and the second state of the switchable mirror layer. 
 
     
     
       9. A method for operating a configurable transparent structure, the method comprising:
 accessing a control signal to determine a mode in which the configurable transparent structure is to be operated; 
 based on a determination that the configurable transparent structure is to be operated in a transparent mode,
 causing a light source of the configurable transparent structure to be inactive, the configurable transparent structure further comprising a transparent light-carrying layer optically coupled with the light source, and a light extraction layer optically coupled with the transparent light-carrying layer, the light extraction layer being transparent in a first state and being at least partially translucent in a second state, and 
 causing the light extraction layer to be in the first state; and 
 
 based on a determination that the configurable transparent structure is to be operated in an internal diffusion mode:
 causing the light source of the configurable transparent structure to be active, and 
 causing the light extraction layer to be in the second state. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 based on the determination that the configurable transparent structure is to be operated in the transparent mode, causing a switchable mirror layer of the configurable transparent structure to be in a first state of the switchable mirror layer, the switchable mirror layer optically coupled to a first side of the transparent light-carrying layer, the light extraction layer being optically coupled to a second side of the transparent light-carrying layer opposite the first side of the transparent light-carrying layer, the switchable mirror layer being transparent in the first state; and 
 based on the determination that the configurable transparent structure is to be operated in the internal diffusion mode, causing the switchable mirror layer to be in a second state of the switchable mirror layer, the switchable mirror layer being reflective in the second state. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 based on a determination that the configurable transparent structure is to be operated in an external diffusion mode, causing the switchable mirror layer of the configurable transparent structure to be in the second state of the switchable mirror layer. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 based on a determination that the configurable transparent structure is to be operated in a direct lighting mode, causing the switchable mirror layer of the configurable transparent structure to be in the first state of the switchable mirror layer. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , the causing of the switchable mirror layer to be in the first state of the switchable mirror layer comprising setting a predetermined voltage across the switchable mirror layer. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 based on a determination that the configurable transparent structure is to be operated in an external diffusion mode:
 causing the light source of the configurable transparent structure to be inactive, and 
 causing the light extraction layer to be in the second state. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 based on a determination that the configurable transparent structure is to be operated in a direct lighting mode:
 causing the light source of the configurable transparent structure to be active, and 
 causing the light extraction layer to be in the first state. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 9 , the causing of the light extraction layer to be in the first state of the light extraction layer comprising setting a predetermined voltage across the light extraction layer. 
     
     
       17. A structure comprising:
 a light source; 
 a first transparent layer and a second transparent layer; 
 a transparent light-carrying layer optically coupled with the light source, the transparent light-carrying layer positioned between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer with an index of refraction at a first boundary between the transparent light-carrying layer and the first transparent layer and at a second boundary between the transparent light-carrying layer and the second transparent layer being less than an index of refraction of the transparent light-carrying layer; and 
 an optical guide positioned between the light source and the transparent light-carrying layer, the optical guide to provide photons from the light source for total internal reflection within the transparent light-carrying layer. 
 
     
     
       18. The structure of  claim 17  wherein the optical guide comprises a mask defining an aperture, the aperture operably coupled with the light source, the aperture positioned at an edge of the transparent light-carrying layer and dimensioned to provide photons from the light source for total internal reflection within the transparent light-carrying layer. 
     
     
       19. The structure of  claim 17 , the transparent light-carrying layer being bound to the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer with a material providing the index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the transparent light-carrying layer. 
     
     
       20. The structure of  claim 19  wherein a polyvinyl butyral binds the transparent light-carrying layer to the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer, and wherein the first transparent layer is glass and the second transparent layer is glass. 
     
     
       21. The structure of  claim 17 , wherein the transparent light-carrying layer comprises a light guide plate, the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes and the optical guide comprises a mask that defines a respective plurality of apertures, the light emitting diodes optically coupled to an edge of the light guide plate through the respective plurality of apertures to provide photons from the light source to be emitted through the apertures into the light guide plate for total internal reflection within the light guide plate. 
     
     
       22. The structure of  claim 21 , wherein the transparent light-carrying layer is an acrylic infused with particles to reflect some light to exit the light guide plate. 
     
     
       23. The structure of  claim 17  wherein the light source is a leaky optical fiber, the transparent light-carrying layer comprises a light guide plate, the optical guide comprises a mask defining an aperture, and the aperture is a slit positioned and aligned between the leaky optical fiber and an edge of the light guide plate. 
     
     
       24. The structure of  claim 17  wherein the transparent light-carrying layer is positioned between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer with a first air gap between the first transparent layer and the transparent light-carrying layer and a second air gap between the second transparent layer and the transparent light-carrying layer. 
     
     
       25. The structure of  claim 17  wherein the first transparent layer is glass and the transparent light-carrying layer is a scattering particle infused acrylic. 
     
     
       26. The structure of  claim 17  wherein the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer are glass. 
     
     
       27. The structure of  claim 17  wherein the transparent light-carrying layer is an adhesive layer optically coupled with the light source and forming a light guide, and the adhesive layer is positioned between and binding the first transparent layer with the second transparent layer. 
     
     
       28. The structure of  claim 27  wherein the adhesive layer is an infused polyvinyl butyral. 
     
     
       29. The structure of  claim 27  wherein the light guide comprises:
 a first refractive layer; 
 a second refractive layer; 
 a first absorbing feature operably associated with the first transparent layer and the transparent light-carrying layer; 
 a second absorbing feature operably associated with the second refractive layer and the transparent light-carrying layer; and 
 the first absorbing feature to absorb any light rays from the light source that are not internally reflected at a boundary between the first refractive layer and the transparent light-carrying layer and the second absorbing feature to absorb any light rays from the light source that are not internally reflected at a boundary between the second refractive layer and the transparent light-carrying layer to provide photons from the light source for total internal reflection within the transparent light-carrying layer. 
 
     
     
       30. The structure of  claim 29 , wherein the first transparent layer is polyvinyl butyral with the first absorbing feature and a transparent portion, the first absorbing feature being a doped extrusion of the polyvinyl butyral and the transparent portion being a transparent extrusion of the polyvinyl butyral. 
     
     
       31. The structure of  claim 29 , wherein the first absorbing feature is a coating on the first transparent layer. 
     
     
       32. The structure of  claim 29 , wherein the first absorbing feature is a coating on the transparent light-carrying layer. 
     
     
       33. The structure of  claim 29 , wherein the first absorbing feature is a tint of the first refractive layer. 
     
     
       34. The structure of  claim 29 , wherein the first absorbing feature is an infused polyvinyl butyral. 
     
     
       35. The structure of  claim 29 , wherein the first absorbing feature extends a distance from the light source between an edge of the first refractive layer and an adjacent edge of the transparent light-carrying layer, the distance such that light rays from the light source intersecting a boundary between the first refractive layer and the transparent light-carrying layer and beyond the distance are internally reflected at the boundary. 
     
     
       36. The structure of  claim 17  wherein the optical guide comprises:
 a parabolic reflector having a focal point; 
 a cylindrical reflector facing the parabolic reflector and comprising:
 a center of curvature coincident with the focal point of the parabolic reflector, and 
 an aperture having a width equal to an optical width of the parabolic reflector and disposed opposite thereof; 
 
 the transparent light-carrying layer comprising a light-guide plate having a thickness equal to the optical width of the parabolic reflector and a portion disposed within the aperture; and 
 the light source comprising an optical fiber disposed at the focal point of the parabolic reflector and configured to scatter light radially outward while transmitting light therethrough. 
 
     
     
       37. The optical guide of  claim 36 , comprising a light-emitting diode optically-coupled to the optical fiber. 
     
     
       38. The optical guide of  claim 36 , the optical fiber is positioned at the focal point by a transparent body. 
     
     
       39. The optical guide of  claim 36 , comprising:
 wherein the parabolic reflector is defined by a first trough in a first body; 
 wherein the cylindrical reflector is defined by a second trough in a second body; and 
 wherein the first body is coupled to the second body to form a cavity therebetween, the cavity comprising the second trough disposed opposite the first trough. 
 
     
     
       40. The optical guide of  claim 39 , wherein the first body and the second body form a single body. 
     
     
       41. The optical guide of  claim 39 , wherein at least one of the first body and the second body are co-extruded with the light-guide plate to form an extruded single body. 
     
     
       42. The structure of  claim 17  wherein the optical guide comprises:
 a parabolic reflector in optical communication with a cylindrical reflector through a common focal point, the parabolic reflector disposed across from the cylindrical reflector; 
 the transparent light-carrying layer comprising an optical plate having a portion disposed within an aperture through the cylindrical reflector, the aperture disposed across from the parabolic reflector and having a width equal to an opening of the parabolic reflector; and 
 the light source disposed at the common focal point and configured to emit light radially outward towards at least one of the parabolic reflector, the cylindrical reflector, or the portion of the optical plate. 
 
     
     
       43. The optical guide of  claim 42 , wherein the optical plate has a thickness equal to the width of the aperture. 
     
     
       44. The optical guide of  claim 43 , further comprising:
 a surface of the portion facing the parabolic reflector and defining an entrance facet for the optical plate, the entrance facet having an acceptance angle for light; and 
 wherein the acceptance angle, θ a , a radius of curvature of the cylindrical reflector, r, and the thickness of the optical plate, t, are related by r=(t/2)/sin θ a . 
 
     
     
       45. The optical guide of  claim 44 , wherein the common focal point is a distance of t/4 from a vertex of the parabolic reflector.